Kevin (Cowboy) Russell was a Rodeo Rider with a deep love for the lifestyle, for his mates and for the animals that became his friends too. Cowboy's best horse he named Mate, because that's what he was.

Mate liked to throw everyone except Kevin. Together they won many competitions, lots of them at the Broadmeadows Rodeo Riding Club.

In his later years, Cowboy started having difficulty living at home, particularly since he needed an oxygen tank and never gave up smoking.

He came to live at the Ron Conn Nursing Home but the transition was difficult for him.

Kevin had not been out of his room in the three months he had been at Ron Conn and there was a visiting animal farm in the car park as a recreation activity. Manager Phill Goulding tried to persuade Kevin to go out to the car park as he knew Cowboy would enjoy the different animals.

As always Kevin dug in and said no.

Not to be defeated – Phill brought the horse to Kevin.